Vision

     Curtis Pierre, has studied over the past 25 years, to gain the knowledge and expertise on Brazilian music and dance and would like to give back to the community through offering classes and workshops on the topic. He has worked for the past seven years with over 150,000 children in the metropolitan New Orleans school systems and surrounding parish schools, exposing children to Brazilian culture, music and traditions.. Being a native of New Orleans and knowing the problems that kids face today, Curtis has adopted the same philosophy of the samba schools in Brazil in taking a social responsibility for safeguarding our children and providing them with creative and challenging opportunities and experiences other than what is found in the streets.  It is our desire to provide a venue for getting the community, specifically children and young adults interested in music and dance and providing them with a place to participate in supervised and structured activities like Residences, after school, and during the summer months.

     Origins of Samba- the word "Samba " is likely  be of Angolan origin, though it occurs as a verb in many  Bantu languages, and is often associated with specific types of  body movements. In the Ngangela group of dialects in inner Angola Kisomba means to skip, gambol, express and overwhelming feeling of joy. It is possible that the Angolans in Brazil originally used this verb during the batuques, generic names for dances of  Angolan origin. In moments of heighten physical and psychical states some people perhaps shouted to the solo dancer, Samba!.... Samba!.... (Dance, skip gambol) . As time past, the word has become a new label for the dance itself. In Bantu Africa, this the way many dances and musical styles originated.

    The Brazilian term "samba"  could also be linked with another word "semba" found in  Kimbundu Ngangela and other Angolan languages. Meaning pelvic movements that were often qualified as obscene to external observers. " Semba" also refers to  a belly bounce, a dance tradition from the eastern hinterland of Luanda which lives on in Brazil under the famous name "umibigada." Some tests made with Bahian musicians have confirmed that the Brazilian nasal pronunciation  of the term samba constitutes the mostly likely Portuguese phonetic adaptation of Angolan word "semba".

Physical Considerations: Students should be in fairly good health. Cardiovascular strength and leg conditioning will be helpful.  

Skills to be Taught:

            - Theory of samba - dance and music

            - Names and identification of each samba instruments

            - Basic samba rhythms and dance steps

            - Rhythms and timing of music and dance

Goals for the Participants-

It is our hope the benefits and skills to be learned from participating in the our camp as include:

-Positive interpersonal relations, self esteem, discipline and motivation through the   education of Afro-Brazilian history and cultures as well as those of other African Diaspora countries.

-Leadership through taking responsibility of teaching others once skills are mastered.

            - Choreography and arrangement of Samba music and dance combined.

            - A general understanding of how to count in musical or dance terms

            - A basic understanding of music theory

          - Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of masking and costume design

            - Understanding the concept of conflict and resolution and its values and rewards

- Understanding and appreciation of all various cultural art forms of world.

-To gain and understanding of various careers from visits by local artists, businessmen, educators, lawyers, doctors, etc. and  the skills and education needed to become  one.

Video Page

Free Kids Classes

New Saturday Classes 9:00am to 10:45am

Come learn to dance or play the rhythms of Brazil:
Curtis Pierre's Samba animation

Samba Class Times .  Capoeira Lessons    Directions 

Instruction Free: donations welcome  (Back)   (Top) (Next)
Children classes  6  to 17 years  old.................

N.O.R.D Center

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     From Metairie and all points West: Take I-10 /90 West until you see the St Charles Avenue exit- get in your right hand lane. Take the very next exit which will be the Tschoupitulas Exit ( the last exit before you go over the bridge to the west bank. Exit ramp, and take right at the signal light which will be Annunciation Street. Stay on Annunciation and it will dead end into the park. The N.O.R.D. CENTER will be directly in front of you on the left. Make quick left then park .

    From New Orleans East and all points East of New Orleans. Take I-10 West to signs saying I-10/90 West-West bank. Stay in your left lane and follow the exit until you see the St Charles Ave exit, get into your right hand lane and take the very next exit which will be the Tschoupitulas exit. You want to take the Tschoupitulas Exit ( the last exit before you go over the bridge to the west bank. Exit ramp, and take right at the signal light which will be Annunciation Street. Stay on Annunciation and it will dead end into the park. The N.O.R.D. CENTER will be directly in front of you on the left. Make quick left then park . If your lost call 504-236-7479

e-mail-therealsambaman@yahoo.com(Top)